Boys "Learn to Love Lacrosse" Program

"Learn to Love Lacrosse" is a sticks-only, low-cost, development lacrosse program for both boys and girls. The program offers an opportunity to learn the basics of lacrosse and play the game in a supportive and fun environment. "Learn to Love Lacrosse" is offered to all Kindergarten boys and girls. It is also available to interested First Graders who have not played lacrosse before and may not be ready for the full town program offered to First and Second Graders. It is coached by WYL coaches and Wayland High School lacrosse players. Weekly practices are held for one hour on Saturday afternoons at the Wayland Middle School during the spring season from April through June. Sessions are held on small fields, there is no contact, and softer lacrosse balls and tennis balls are used for instructional purposes.

Boys First and Second Grade Program

WYL offers an in-town program for first and second graders. The focus is on FUN and skills. Practices are held on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons and, for those players participating in the inter-town competitive program, games are held on Sundays. For those players not participating in the inter-town competitive program, we generally will schedule a few scrimmages with other towns as the boys become more comfortable with the game. Games are played on a small field with seven players per team.

Boys Third through Eighth Grade Program

This program is aimed at boys in grades three through eight and focuses on player development with a philosophy that everyone plays regardless of skill and experience level. Teams practice two nights per week and will play 8 - 12 home and away games on Sundays plus the end-of-season Jamboree at Fort Devens. Teams are organized by grade - 3/4 is for third and fourth graders, 5/6 is for fifth and sixth graders, and 7/8 is for seventh and eighth graders.

More information about the league in which we participate (Mass Bay Youth Lacrosse League) may be found at www.mbyll.org

Player Committment for Town Teams

Players and parents should understand that participating on a WYL Town Lacrosse Team can be a very special time for a player. Town lacrosse teams are age-based, not skill-based, so we have players of different skill levels on each team. This is intentional at a regional and national level for lacrosse. It helps to encourage athletes to try lacrosse without fear of being placed on the lowest level team. There are countless cases where good athletes new to lacrosse in 8th or even 9th grade have gone on to achieve All-American status and play in the pros. We expect that our more experienced and more skilled players will take a leadership role and work with all players on the team to improve their skills and understanding, and share their own love of the game.

On the WYL Town teams, we understand there are different ability levels. We try to have equal playing time regardless of ability. What we do request, however, is a high level of commitment to, and effort in, practices and games. While ability does not factor into playing time on the field, a lack of effort and commitment will be considered.